armartin@attmail.att.com (Arlen R Martin) (05/07/91)
As a new subscriber to this group, I don't know if this topic has been discussed recently or not. But I am interested in hearing other's opinions on the role of women in church leadership, and specifically whether God has a "hierarchial system" that gives the responsibility of spiritual leadership (in the church and the home) to men. Let me ask some questions and then give a synopsis of my limited view (as best as I understand the questions today). - Was Paul writing in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man ...) in the context that there was improprietary on the behalf of some women in church and Paul was attempting to stop the scandalous behaviour? (If so why doesn't the scripture make the context clear and that Paul's advice doesn't apply today?) - If women are to be submissive to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1-4) and Ephesians 5:22) is it possible for a woman to pastor a church of which her husband is a member? - Does Ephesians 5:22-24 mean that there is a hierachial order set by God in which men are responsible for the spiritual leadership in their families? I recognize that there are many viewpoints on many hotly debated issues, so let me state that none of this should hinder the primary purpose of a Christian's life; to seek God's will in their life, and honor and glorify Him in all that they do. I believe that men and women have equal access to God through Christ. We have equal access to God's plan of salvation. We have equal access to God's grace. But, I believe that God created men and women differently (I don't think anyone will argue that ;')). I don't view submissiveness as a weakness, rather a great strength. Men are required to be as servants to their wives (as Christ was to the church) just as it is asked of wives. However, I think men have been given the responsiblity (where possible) of spiritual leadership in the church and the home. This in no way implies a dominance or provides men with "power". Both men and women have servant roles and must be perceptive to their spouses will. [In fact there's been a continuing discussion on this point. --clh]
hbryanf@se1.cs.nps.navy.mil (howard bryan) (05/10/91)
Much of Paul's writings was based on Roman law and tradition. Of course, women have exual access to God's plan of salvation. There is probably not a 'status quo' role for women or men. One of Paul's great successes is that he did not violate tradition greatly in preaching the Good News. Had he done so, Christianity would not have been successful!
hudson@athena.cs.uga.edu (Paul Hudson Jr) (05/13/91)
In article <May.10.03.03.58.1991.6470@athos.rutgers.edu> hbryanf@se1.cs.nps.navy.mil (howard bryan) writes: >Much of Paul's writings was based on Roman law and tradition. Of course, >women have exual access to God's plan of salvation. There is probably not >a 'status quo' role for women or men. One of Paul's great successes is that >he did not violate tradition greatly in preaching the Good News. Had he done >so, Christianity would not have been successful! Paul did not change cultural practices unless it was necessary. But he did say that women were to be in subjection "as under the law" in I Corinthians 14. Most Corinthians were not under the law. Paul did not address hardly anything to the Jews in I Corinthians, if anything at all. the only thing that I can recall having to deal with Jews (other than specific Jews like he , Appolos and Peter) is that he said that the Jews required a sign in chapter 1.